It’s official!
Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced on Monday that Blue Mountain has officially been added to the state’s list of conserved properties, making it part of Arkansas’ outdoor recreational offerings for years to come.
The 459-acre property is adjacent to Rattlesnake Ridge and is the westernmost peak in the Maumelle Pinnacles chain. Conserving Blue Mountain will not only provide new trails for hikers and mountain bikers to explore, but will also protect the habitats of rare plant and animal species, as well as the water quality of more than half a million Arkansans, according to The Nature Conservancy.
In April, TNC and the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission launched a $6 million fundraising effort to conserve Blue Mountain, seeking both public gifts and grants from the Department of Arkansas Heritage’s Natural and Cultural Resources Council and the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund.
Donations are still open and welcome in order to provide long-term management of the property and help outfit the park with the proper amenities and trails. Click here for details on how to give.
No word yet on when Blue Mountain will open to the public. For the latest information, follow TNC on Facebook and Instagram.